This campaign is about protecting the least amongst us.
John,
Over 48,000 people in NY-12 have a physical disability of some kind that affects their use of our public transit system. This means having to travel longer distances to subway stations that are 100% accessible, taking indirect bus routes, or not being able to travel much further than a few city blocks. Watch my video below to see an exploration of the injustice of this negligence.
Disability rights are a huge part of the reason I am running for Congress. When I was a teenger, my grandfather was injured at work and became a quadriplegic. My family, including my grandmother, mother and sister, worked tirelessly to make his home wheelchair accessible. The rest of his community? Not so much. No longer could my grandfather go to his favorite restaurant. His favorite movie theater. It became daunting to see stairs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. However, the burden of enforcement lies with those denied access. This means spending money on filing paperwork, going to court, and hoping for a ruling that will lead to enforcement that should have been done in the first place. 30 years later, this law needs to be updated and expanded so the federal government is responsible for securing public transit; and public spaces are held accountable for true and practical accessibility for all.
